Chapter 63
After arriving at Greenville Dungeon and being healed, Pia regained consciousness after a few hours.
“Ugh…”
“P-Pia. Are you okay?”
Raham, who had not left her side even for a single moment, checked her urgently. Hearing his voice, Adelaide and the other demons quickly ran into the room.
“Raham…? What happened…”
Pia muttered blankly, then paused. With her fair hand, she gently felt for her eyes.
“I can’t see.”
Pia muttered in a low voice.
Adelaide shook her head in dismay. She called a healer as quickly as possible, but they couldn’t fix her eyes. Harpies were a race who did not regenerate, and on top of that, demonic powers did not work well for those who were from Heaven.
“Oh, what should I do? Raham, what should I do?”
Pia started to cry.
“I can’t see. Can’t see…”
“I’m sorry, Pia. Because of me…”
“I can’t see your face at all. What should I do, that’s my calling. The reason you love me, since it’s gone, how…”
She grabbed Raham’s arm and wept.
Pia cried because she could no longer see Raham’s face, instead of the fact that she had to live as a blind person in the future. Even if she had lost both of her hands, or even if she lost more than that, she would’ve been fine with it as long as her eyes were safe. She should have protected at least one eye. She regretted it deeply.
“Pia.”
Raham’s voice was filled with sadness. His voice trembled as he spoke her name.
“That’s right. You were the only person who could see my face, that’s why I fell in love with you.”
“Raham, you are so beautiful…”
“And.”
Raham interrupted Pia.
“Your kind heart that cared about me even when you were sick is the reason why I continue to love you.”
He slowly wrapped his arms around her. His embrace was very gentle, as if he was worried that she might get hurt.
“This hand that is twice smaller than mine, this special hair that only you have, and this beautiful face are all the reasons I love you.”
“Raham…”
“Your calling is not to look at my face, but to be happy. I just dare hope that that place is next to me.”
Tak. Tears fell. Not from Pia’s eyes, but Adelaide’s.
“What, why are you crying?” Caladium asked tactlessly.
“Shut up, it’s a touching moment.” Adelaide replied harshly.
“But, no one will ever see your face in the future. That’s what you’ve been waiting for…”
“It’s okay. You will remember. That is enough.”
The conversation between the two continued. It was so tender and sweet that it brought tears to the eyes of those who were listening.
“Let’s never be apart again.”
“Unless you say you no longer want it, it will be forever.”
“Never.”
“How lucky of me.” Raham whispered sweetly.
The Skeleton Captain who was standing next to Adelaide could no longer stand it and burst into tears. Tears didn’t really flow because he was a Skeleton.
“Hnng! It’s so touching!”
“Huupp, you have to live well…!”
The other demons also congratulated them. The tears that they had been holding back dripped from their faces. Adelaide tried to swallow her cries, but a hic and sniffling sounds still came out.
Pia and Raham seemed to have escaped from their own world and finally noticed the existence of the others around them.
“Adelaide. Thank you. It’s all thanks to you. Thank you so much.”
“What are you thankful for…”
Her voice cracked and made it more difficult to speak. Adelaide wiped away her tears.
“Master Adele, your skin will be damaged.” Lisianthus, who had been quiet thus far, looked at her swollen eyes and gave impatient advice.
“I, thank you. How could I repay the favor…”
After Raham, Pia spoke, her cheeks blushing. Even her appearance right now looked so beautiful.
Adelaide, mesmerized by her beauty for a moment, cleared her throat and opened her mouth.
“I have one request. How you can pay it back.”
Smile. She smiled and revealed her white teeth with her tear-stained face. She then brought out what she had prepared.
“Please join Greenville!”
The thing in Adelaide’s hands was a bowl of soup. It was cream soup cooked by Adelaide herself under Lisianthus’ guidance. She prepared it for Raham and Pia, who haven’t eaten properly for a long time.
“I’ll be really nice to you! I’ll cherish you!”
She spoke informally. She was reminded of Lisianthus’ advice who said not to be too polite towards her demons.
“Ugh, are you going to do business using bribes now? If you’re really sincere, change your tagline first!”
Caladium complained again. He felt ashamed of himself every time he heard it because it was a reminder that he fell for that standard sales pitch in the past.
‘It’s about time he got used to it, but he’s like that again.’ Adelaide ignored him, and she put the soup in Raham’s hand. Pia would still have a hard time eating alone.
“It has cooled down, so you can eat it right away.”
Adelaide, who even brought a spoon, added. However, the atmosphere around Raham was dark.
“Adelaide. Thank you very much for the offer…”
Raham, who took the bowl, said in a bitter tone.
“We’re not going to be of much help. Both Pia and I are hurt, and we need some time to recuperate.”
“You can heal here! Greenville would be better than the plains to recover. As you can see, there are spare rooms, and we can eat together…”
Adelaide sneakily glanced at Lisianthus while speaking. There were a lot of demons now so it must have become difficult for him to continue cooking.
‘I need to find a cook.’ She vowed then continued.
“There is also an artificial sun, so it’s good to sunbathe. The bathroom can be used by anyone. Oh, of course, you won’t fight until you get better.”
“Raham, this is real! It’s all true!”
“I really like it here!”
The Durahans nodded their heads vigorously behind Adelaide. Their faces were not visible, and their necks were shaking. “Hurry up and say okay!” someone whispered.
Needless to say, the Greenville Dungeon, which they lived in for a while as temporary members, was absolutely perfect.
They made furniture suitable for their body size and even prepared quality meals for them. They could use the bathroom whenever they wanted, and the first artificial sun they have ever seen was no different from the real one.
Unlike other dungeons who only knew how to make the demons who belonged to them work harder, Adelaide respected her affiliates’ opinions as much as she could. She did not forcefully accept adventurers for them to fight. Life here was so sweet that they wanted to live here even if they had to pay 1 Alma per month.
Most of all, Raham and Pia had now been marked by the Sol Dungeon. Leaving this place meant that they would no longer be protected by Greenville and their safety would not be guaranteed after that. Raham’s friends, the Durahans, wanted him and Pia to live peacefully here under the protection of the devil.
Raham was well aware of this. However, they would only cause them more trouble, so his conscience was not letting him accept the offer right away. However, thinking of Pia, who needed treatment, he could not refuse.
“…Why are you doing this for us? I haven’t done anything for you…”
He interrupted her when she tried to get contracts and also turned down her offer to come to Greenville. Him saying that he would think about it once it became an E-Class dungeon was only an excuse to get rid of the immature demon.
But such a person willingly fought against a large dungeon, accepted him and even gave him good terms. How could that be?
He wasn’t the only one who had these questions. The other Durahans who sympathized with Raham’s question also pricked up their ears and waited for Adelaide’s answer.
Lisianthus also stared intently at her.
The answer that followed was very simple.
“Because I want to.”
When their eyes suddenly turned to her, Adelaide awkwardly scratched her cheek.
“There is no particular reason… It’s just that Raham and Pia look like good demons, and I think it would be fun to have you join us.”
“It’s not a cool reason, it’s embarrassing.” She smiled mischievously.
The demons who were waiting for her answer burst into laughter. Because that answer was enough for them.
“Okay. We will join Greenville. Pia, are you okay with that?”
“Of course. If you are willing to accept me, I will be grateful.”
“Okay, good!”
Adelaide said with a bright smile. Then she turned her head to look at the three Durahans.
“How about you guys?”
The pure gaze turned towards the Durahans. They hesitated and pointed at themselves.
“U-Us?”
“Yes. David, Peter and Christopher. You three.”
“Did you know our names?”
“How could I not know?”
“We’ve been together for days.” Adelaide tilted her head and spoke.
“Will you officially join Greenville now?”
Her pink pupils twinkled. They were colleagues who have faced life and death, so now they must stay together! Her eyes said this. Other possibilities were unthinkable.
“O-Of course!”
David exclaimed. Peter covered the location of his mouth with both hands, and Christopher, the most tender-hearted, burst into tears again. All three looked very moved.
“No matter how much the monthly rent is, we will definitely join!”
Fuu. A whistling sound was heard.
“You must be very rich. Hey Adela. Tell them to pay 10 Almas each.”
Caladium chuckled mischievously. Adelaide continued after giving him a stern look.
“I have decided not to receive monthly rent. You just need to get some food from time to time.”
“You won’t ask for a monthly rent?”
The Skeleton Captain, who was watching with a happy face, asked in amazement.
For C-Class dungeons or higher, in order to bring in strong demons, they did not receive monthly rent and instead paid an annual salary. But this was a story for higher class dungeons. Greenville Dungeon was still at E-3 level, and the Skeletons and Durahans were not so precious that they could bring them in without rent.
“Considering the future of the dungeon, it would be better to receive even just a little.” The Skeleton Captain carefully advised. But Adelaide’s attitude was very determined. She shook her head and opened her mouth.
“I won’t take it. S-Class dungeons don’t receive monthly rent from their demons.”
“Why are you talking about S-class dungeons?…”
“Greenville will soon be an S-Class.”
Adelaide declared with a sly smile. Just like she told Lisianthus in the early days of the dungeon, it was the first time she had directly expressed her ambitions in front of other demons.
It was too big a dream for the owner of an E-Class dungeon. However, none of the demons here pointed out that this was futile.